Md. Committee Approves Open-Container Ban
The Maryland House of Representatives Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would ban open containers of alcohol in vehicles, the Washington Post reported March 8.
Before approving the measure, the committee revised the legislation so that those found with an open container in a vehicle would face a civil offense, rather than a criminal one. The change would reduce the fine from the bill's original $500 to $25.
Del. Carol S. Petzold (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the proposal, was disappointed that the committee weakened the bill. But she added that it is still a “deterrent to a rolling party going down the road.”
In four previous years, the committee had rejected proposals to ban open containers. With the state facing the loss of $7.7 million in federal highway funds without such a measure, the committee had more of an incentive to approve it.
The bill moves to the full House for a vote.
